But does it mean that I should just sit back and watch?
What we have in theory is the form of government that best respects humanity, and which I believe was set up with divine providence. All of the founding fathers, whether or not they were "Christians," all believed that there was something greater than themselves guiding them. They went against the established government (which was disconnected from them), fought, and set up something better.
So at what point does a person decide to stop being apathetic? Apathy, even when justified by salvation, is a sin of selfishness. Shouldn't we want the best, not only for ourselves, but for all future generations?
What was voted on yesterday is a step in the wrong direction. It is moving toward a state where everything is supposedly "taken care of" by some bureaucratic tower. It is moving toward 1984, and the Soviet Union, and V for Vendetta, and every other dystopia, fiction and non-, where the people are treaded upon and told that things are all OK, and the only reason they go along with it is that they just... don't... know any better.
Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever, ’twixt that darkness and that light.
What choice to make? Do we, whatever our backgrounds and religions, go along with something like this? I may be saved from hell, but that does not excuse me with sitting back and letting evil take over the world. As a Christian, as a human, I should be in the front lines of the fight against evil. This is my conclusion. Apathy kills.
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.
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Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
--Patrick Henry
"Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels."
--Revelation 12:7
War always will rage between the two great sovereignties until one or other be crushed. Peace between good and evil is an impossibility; the very pretence of it would, in fact, be the triumph of the powers of darkness. Michael will always fight; his holy soul is vexed with sin, and will not endure it. Jesus will always be the dragon's foe, and that not in a quiet sense, but actively, vigorously, with full determination to exterminate evil. All His servants, whether angels in heaven or messengers on earth, will and must fight; they are born to be warriors--at the cross they enter into covenant never to make truce with evil; they are a warlike company, firm in defence and fierce in attack. The duty of every soldier in the army of the Lord is daily, with all his heart, and soul, and strength, to fight against the dragon.
The dragon and his angels will not decline the affray; they are incessant in their onslaughts, sparing no weapon, fair or foul. We are foolish to expect to serve God without opposition: the more zealous we are, the more sure are we to be assailed by the myrmidons of hell. The church may become slothful, but not so her great antagonist; his restless spirit never suffers the war to pause; he hates the woman's seed, and would fain devour the church if he could. The servants of Satan partake much of the old dragon's energy, and are usually an active race. War rages all around, and to dream of peace is dangerous and futile.
Glory be to God, we know the end of the war. The great dragon shall be cast out and for ever destroyed, while Jesus and they who are with Him shall receive the crown. Let us sharpen our swords to-night, and pray the Holy Spirit to nerve our arms for the conflict. Never battle so important, never crown so glorious. Every man to his post, ye warriors of the cross, and may the Lord tread Satan under your feet shortly!
--C. H. Spurgeon, from "Morning and Evening," November 30 pm
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